Traction or anti-skid device for motor vehicles



' Filed Aug. 1, 1956 June 3, 1958 J. v, ARMENANTE ET AL 3 TRACTION ORANTI-SKID DEVICE FDR MOTOR VEHICLES i I Q 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 llvvs/wvesJl/ARME/VAIVTE EA. RUS O Afiomvsr June 3, 1958 J. v. ARMENANTE ET ALTRACTION 0R ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet? FiledAug. 1, 1956 IN \I/EN TORS JMARMENANTE June 3,1958 J. v. ARMENANTE ETAL2,837,133

- TRACTION OR ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Aug. 1, 1956 5Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG-4- INVENTORS \J. V AME/VA N TE EJQUSSO v June 3, 1958J. v ARMENANTE ETAL 2,337,133

TRACTION OR ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Aug. 1, 1956 5Sheets-Sheet 4 I/VVENTORS Jl/ARMEA/AA/TE June 3, 1958 J. v ARMENANTE ETAL TRACTION OR ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES I Filed Aug. 1, 19565 SheetsSheet 5 INVENTORS J L ARMENANTE F A. RUSSO 4 TORNEV nire tatesPatent TRACTION OR ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR 1 MOTOR VEHICLES Jerry V.Armenante and Frank A. Russo, Newark, N. .1. Application August 1, 1956,Serial N 0. 601,524 12 Claims. (Cl. 152-218) This invention relates totraction or antiskid devices for the wheels of motor vehicles and, moreparticularly, to a device which may be readily applied and removed fromthe wheels of a motor vehicle with a minimum amount of time and elfort.

An object of our invention is the provision of a device which may bereadily applied to and removed from the wheel of a motor vehicle withoutthe inconvenience and troubles usually associated with the applicationof tire chains or emergency chains.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a traction orantiskid device-which comprises a selfcontained unitary structure whichadapts itself to various sizes of tires.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a traction orantiskid device which will provide a maximum amount of traction for thewheel to which it is applied with a minimum amount of wear on the tire.

' A still further object of the invention is the provision of anantiskid or traction device which is compact in form and maybereadilysto-red in the vehicle.

A still further object of theinvention is the provision of an antiskidor traction device which is so constructed that the wearing qualities ofthe road-gripping componentsare considerably better than devices now incommon use.

A still further object of our invention is the provision 'of a devicewhich will eliminate the need for tire chains and the attendant nuisanceassociated therewith by providing a simple, compact, foolproof, readilyapplied device which will provide a greater amount of traction than ispossible with the present and well known devices.

Present day practices for the reduction and elimination of accidents dueto skidding on wet and icy pavements and the increasing of the tractionof the wheels of motor vehicles under adverse conditions such as ice,snow, mud, and so forth, call for the application of tire chains to thetire. These chains may be of the complete encircling type or they may beof any event, they are a type of chain which is not only a nuisance toapply and remove the attendant nuisance associated therewith does hotseem to justify the advantages to be gained by the usethereof.

It is realized that this is a false concept but, human nature being whatit is, the use of present day tire chains is avoided by the generalpublic as much as possible and this lack of use not only delays andholds up trafic but is a major factorin the causing of accidents.-

The applicants, being cognizant of the publics attitude with regard totire-chains, have devised an antiskid and traction device for the wheelsof motor vehicles which 'may be readily applied and removed.

The device of their invention contemplates the use of suitableroad-gripping members or cleats spaced equidistant around the peripheryof the tire, supportedand suitably secured to arms which radiate fromacentral hub'm'ember which is in alignment with the axis of the wheel.Means are provided on the centralhub member the so-called emergencytype. In

but they wear out readily. Hence many individuals are reluctant to usechains since Lil iii

l ate'nted June 3, 1 958 "ice gripping the outer surface of the tire sothat a minimum amount of movement occurs therebctween.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description when read in connection with the followingdrawings, of which: i

Fig. l is a front elevational' view of the wheel of a motor vehicle withthe device of this invention in position on the tire;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and discloses theroad-gripping members or cleats in juxtaposition with respect to thetread of the tire;

Fig. 3 is a view of the device of our invention removed from the tirewith the road-gripping members contracted against the tension of a coilspring as shown in the section broken away;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the gripping membersextended under the infiuence'of the coil springs;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, with parts brokenaway disclosing the central supporting hub and the ratchet mechanismassociated therewith for withdrawing and locking the extending arms andtheir associated gripping members or cleats;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the structure shown in Fig. 5 withparts broken away;

Fig. 7 is a modified method ofsecuring the radiating arms to the centralhub member so that they may be folded back thereagainst for compactstorage;

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective illustrating one form of road-grippingmember or cleat;

Fig. 9 is a modified form of road-gripping member or clcat whichcomprises a plurality of transversely positioned fingers or arms;

Fig. 10 is a modified form of road-gripping cleat particularly adaptedfor use in mud;

Fig. 11 shows a suitable tool for the application to and removal from awheel of the device of our invention; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section of the arm 12shown in Fig. 4.

In the preferred embodiment of our invention, as shown in the variousfigures heretofore referred to, the numeral 10 represents a centralhousing or hub having radiating therefrom and spaced equidistant apart aplurality of arms 11, 12, and 13. These arms, as shown, are secured tothe hub 10, are in the same plane, and are substantially tubular incross section.

Slidably mounted in the tubular radiating arms 11, 12, 13 are theextending rods 14, 15, and 16. These rods have a sliding fit within thearms-11,12, and 13 and are forced outwardly by means of the coiledsprings SP, as shown in Fig. 4.

Secured to the free ends of the rods 14, 15, 16 are the cleats orroad-gripping members 17, 18, 19, which may be of any desiredconfiguration that will provide good traction. For the purpose ofillustration, there is disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, a type ofcleat which the applicants have found to be satisfactory for the purposeintended. This cleat, as shown, comprises a base member Ml which issecured to the ends of rods 14, 15, 16 in any suitable manner, asheretofore described. Positioned onthe base member 20 and extendingtherefrom are a plurality of fingers or bars 21, 22, 23, and 24. Thesebars extend across the tread of the tire TR, around a portion thereof,and are in firm contact therewith, as shown in the various figures.

' As shown in the drawings and more in detail in Figs. 5 and 6, cablesCB, preferably made of a strong flexible material, are positioned in thebores of the tubular arms 11, 12, and 13 with their outer ends securedto the inner ends of the rods 14, 15, 16, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The inner ends of the cables CB are secured to a drum member DR which ismounted-on a suitablespindle Fig. 11, applied to the nut NT which is anintegral part of the assembly of the drum, ratchet, and spindle. It

will he, therefore, readily observed that when the ratchet wheel WH isrotated clockwise by means of the tool TL engaging the nut NT, thecablesCB Will be wound around the drum DR, thereby tensioning the cables andcausing the rods 14, 15 and 16 to be withdrawn against the tension ofthe springs SP and be locked in position by means of the dog DG engagingthe teeth of the ratchet wheel WH. A suitable spring 25, as shown,maintains the dog DG in positionagainst the teeth of theratchet wheel WHto prevent disengagement thereof and the consequent accidental rotationthereof.

When it is desired to extend the arms 11, 12, 13 for the removal of theassembly from the tread of the tire TR secured to the wheel WH, the dogDG is released by depressing the free end 26, thereby permitting theracthet wheel WI-I to rotate counterclockwise and allow the springsSP'to forcev the arms 11, l2, l3 and their associated cleats outwardlyand out'of contact with the tread of the tireTR, thereby permitting theassembly tobe readily removed therefrom.

, In applying the device of our invention to a tire, it is onlynecessary to reverse this procedure, for example, to rotate'the nutclockwise until the cleats 1d firmly grip the the tread TR. p I

In Fig. 7 we have shown a modified structure wherein the tubularradiating arms 11, 12, and 13 may be hingedly secured to the hub byproviding extending studs ST which are secured to the hub 10 and havethe radiating arms rotatably secured thereto by means of the pins PN.This structure will permit the arms to be folded over the hub to providea compact structure which will occupy a minimum amount of storage space.

The modified cleat shown in Fig. 8 comprises essentially a plurality oflooped members 36 and 31, joined together at their free ends and soshaped that they conform to the tread of the tire-TR.

The cleat of Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the structure shown in thefigures heretofore referred to and comprises a base 24 and extendingfingers 21, 22, 23, and 24 secured thereto and so shaped as to providedsuitable road-gripping surfaces.

The modified cleat shown in Fig. l0 comprises a fiat arcuate plate 32with upstanding gripping edges 33 and 34. This cleat may be substitutedfor the cleats heretofore described when it is desired to use the deviceof this invention for mud or other materials of 21 similar nature.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of ourinvention, it is to be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit of the inventionand we only intend to be limited by the scope of the claims appendedhereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A traction device intended for application to the tires on the wheelsof motor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel for mountingsaid tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to the axis ofsaid tire and said wheel, a plurality of arms rigidly secured to andradiating from said hub member and having extendable portions mountedthereon, removable gripping means mounted on the free ends of said ex-.tendable members and adapted to embrace the tread of said tire, ratchetmeans on said hub member for retracting and locking said extendablemembers, .whereby said gripping means are held in intimate contact withthe tread bination a tire, a wheel for mounting said tire, a hub membercentrally disposed with respect to the axis of said tire and said wheel,a plurality of tubular arms rigidly secured to and radiating from saidhub member and having extendable portions mounted therein, re-' movablegripping means mounted on the free ends of said extendable members andadapted to embrace the tread of said tire, ratchet means on said hubmember for retracting and locking said extendable members, whereby saidgripping means are held in intimate contact with thetread of said tire.

i 3. A traction device intended for application to th tires on thewheels of motor vehicles comprising 'in combination a tire, a wheel formounting said tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to theaxis of said tire and said wheel, a plurality of arms rigidly secured toand radiating from said hub member and having extendable portionsmounted in telescope relation therewith, removable gripping meansmounted on the free ends of said extendable members and adapted toembrace the tread of said tire, ratchet means on said hub member forretracting and locking said extendable members, whereby said grippingmeans are held in intimate contact with the tread of said tire.

4. A traction device intended for application to the tires on the wheelsof motor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel for mountingsaid tire, a'

hub member centrally disposed with respect to the axis of said tire andsaid wheel, a plurality of tubular arms rigidly secured to and radiatingfrom said hub member and having extendable portions mounted in telescoperelation therewith, removable gripping means mounted on the free ends ofsaid extendable members and adapted to embrace the tread of said tire,ratchet means on said hub member for retracting and locking saidextendable members, whereby said gripping means are held in intimatecontact with the tread of said tire.

5. A traction device intended for application to the tires on the wheelsof motor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel for mountingsaid tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to the axis ofsaid tire and said wheel, a plurality of arms rigidly secured to andradiating from said hub member and having extendable portions includinga plurality of removable transversely extending fingers mounted thereonand adapted to embrace the tread of said tire, ratchet means on said hubmember forretracting and locking said extendable members, whereby saidfingers are held in intimate contact with the tread of said tire.

6. A traction device intended for application to the tires on the wheelsof motor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel for mountingsaid tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to the axis ofsaid tire and said wheel, a plurality of tubular arms rigidly secured toand radiating from said hub member and having extendable portionsincluding a plurality of detachable transversely extending fingersmounted thereon and adapted to embrace the tread of said tire, ratchetmeans on said hub member for retracting and locking said extendablemembers, whereby said fingers are held in initimate contact with thetread of said tire.

7. A traction device intended for application to the tires on the wheelsof motor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel for mountingsaid tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to the axis ofsaid the and said wheel, a plurality of arms rigidly secured to andradiating from said hub member and having extendable portions mounted intelescope relation therewith, detachable gripping means comprising aplurality of transversely extending fingers mounted on the free ends ofsaid extendable members and adapted to embrace the tread of said tire,ratchet means on said hub member for retracting and locking saidextendable members, whereby said gripping means are held in intimatecontact with the tread of said tire.

8. A traction device intended for application to the tires on the wheelsof motor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel for mountingsaid tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to the axis ofsaid tire and said wheel, a plurality of tubular arms rigidly secured toand radiating from said hub member and having extendable portionsincluding a plurality of detachable transversely extending fingersmounted in telescope relation therefrom, said gripping fingers mountedon the free ends of said extendable members and adapted to embrace thetread of said tire, ratchet means on said hub member for retracting andlocking said extendable members, whereby said gripping means are held inintimate contact with the tread of said tire.

9. A traction device intended for application to the tires on the wheelsof motor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel for mountingsaid tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to the axis ofsaid tire and said wheel, a plurality of arms rigidly secured to andradiating from said hub member and having extendable portions mountedthereon, detachable gripping means mounted on the free ends of saidextendable members and adapted to embrace the tread of said tire,ratchet means on said hub member and flexible members associatedtherewith and connected to said extendable members for retracting andlocking said extendable members, whereby'said gripping means are held inintimate contact with the tread of said tire.

10. A traction device intended for application to the tires on thewheels of motor vehicles comprising incombination a tire, a wheel formounting said tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to theaxis of said tire and said wheel, a plurality of tubular arms rigidlysecured to and radiating from said hub member and having extendableportions mounted therein, detachable gripping means mounted on the freeends of said extendable members and adapted to embrace the tread of saidtire, ratchet means on said hub member and flexible members associatedtherewith and connected to said extendable members for retracting andlocking said extendable members, whereby said gripping means are held inintimate contact with the tread of said tire.

11. A traction device intended for application to the tires on thewheels of motor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel formounting said tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to theaxis of said tire and said wheel, a plurality of arms rigidly secured toand radiating from said hub member and having spring biased extendableportions mounted in telescope relation therewith, detachablegripping'means mounted on the free ends of said extendable members andadapted to embrace the tread of said tire, ratchet means on said hubmember and flexible members associated therewith and connected to saidextendable members for retracting and locking said extendable members,whereby said gripping means are held in intimate contact with the treadof said tire.

A traction device intended for application to the tires on the wheels-ofmotor vehicles comprising in combination a tire, a wheel for mountingsaid tire, a hub member centrally disposed with respect to the axis ofsaid tire and said wheel, a plurality of tubular arms rigidly secured toand radiating from said hub member and having spring biased extendableportions mounted in telescope relation therewith, detachable grippingmeans mounted on the free ends of said extendable members and adapted toembrace the tread of said tire, ratchet means on said hub member andflexible members as:

sociated therewith and connected to said extendable members forretracting and locking said extendable members, whereby said grippingmeans are held in intimate contact with the tread of said tire.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

